Jeez Paw, give the guy a break! I happen to know he's a Doc Watson fan, and probably doesn't even KNOW the hidden meanings in Carrickfergus. But that's the problem isn't it? YOU'VE just never been able to laugh at yourself! Personally, I go into hysterics at the mention of your name.

However.....it's a good point. After all, I've used the term "nurd knowledge" for virtually everything I've ever learned about folk-music, or life, for as long as I can remember. I DO get mad at times but only if I think some other person has been knowingly vicious...but NEVER if I think there was a possiblity they might have been joking (and I just didn't get it) or they just don't have social skills. I think some folks can only operate when they're in defensive mode. I mean there are whole industries that have sprung up with people just LOOKING to be offended.

Take music for example: I absolutely LOVE Dylan, the Beatles, early Elvis, Freddie Mercury, and many current bands. Some of my "trad" friends, have absolutely NO use (and naturally no real knowledge) of those musicians, so I could take it personally if someone I care about completely denigrates them. Or I could rant on about my devoting literally every waking hour to loving or playing or learning about folk music and folk musicians...but what would be the point? To me, arguments should ONLY be about life and death issues......AND THE BLUE JAYS! Our time here is just too damn short.

Rick